Glossary of terms
Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll encounter in HB 395 and plug-in solar generally.
A
- Anti-islanding
- The automatic disconnection of a small generator from the grid within milliseconds of a utility outage, protecting line workers from energized wires.
B
- Backfeed
- Electricity flowing back from a customer's system into the utility grid. HB 395 systems are designed to minimize backfeed.
- Behind-the-meter
- Generation that offsets the customer's own consumption before the utility meter measures it. HB 395 systems are strictly behind-the-meter.
D
- Disclosure label
- A standardized HB 395 information sheet that manufacturers must ship with every compliant product starting July 1, 2026, including the UL 3700 certification number.
H
- HB 395
- Virginia House Bill 395, enacted in 2025, the Commonwealth's statewide framework for plug-in solar.
- HOA
- Homeowners association — a governing body for a planned community. HB 395 limits HOA authority to prohibit plug-in solar.
I
- Interconnection
- The formal agreement and equipment connecting a customer-owned generator to the utility grid. HB 395 systems do not require interconnection.
- Inverter
- Hardware that converts panel DC output to household AC. HB 395 systems use a microinverter rated at 1,200 W AC or less.
K
- Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
- The standard unit of electricity consumption — one kilowatt drawn (or produced) for one hour.
M
- Microinverter
- A small inverter mounted on or near each solar panel, converting DC to AC at the panel level. Required for HB 395 compliance.
N
- NEC
- National Electrical Code, the model electrical-safety code adopted (with amendments) by Virginia. HB 395 systems are designed to comply.
- Net metering
- A billing arrangement that credits a customer for grid-export electricity. HB 395 systems are not eligible for net metering.
P
- Plug-in solar
- A solar generator small enough to connect via a standard household outlet, without an electrician or interconnection agreement.
R
- Reasonable restriction
- A condition a landlord or HOA may lawfully impose on an HB 395 install — without significantly increasing cost or decreasing performance.
S
- SCC
- Virginia State Corporation Commission, the agency responsible for administering HB 395's notification form and dispute process.
U
- UL 1741
- The legacy safety standard for inverters in hard-wired rooftop solar. Not sufficient on its own for HB 395 compliance.
- UL 3700
- The safety standard HB 395 requires for plug-in solar systems, covering anti-islanding, backfeed, thermal performance, and ground-fault protection.